got me thinking. I met @Biz (Biz Stone, one of the Founders of Twitter in November 2009, very briefly) I made a short video (which I’ve never published for reasons I’ll tell you if you ask!) of a bit of a talk he gave in answer to a question from the audience. Here it is:

The Future of Newsgathering and the Changing Media Landscape

Whistling in the dark at #fng12

Storified by Brian_Condon · Sun, Jul 01 2012 15:27:06

Frontline Club – Events: THIRD PARTY EVENT: The future of newsgathering and the changing media landscape19.00 Keynote speaker: Gavin Sheppard, marketing director, Media Trust. 19.30 Panel discussion: The future of newsgathering and the changing media landscape Change in the media landscape is constant. Technology and new media has enabled both journalists and citizens on the street to actually break news themselves.

Nikki Bedi is reading out the panel’s Twitter profiles at #fng12 twitpic.com/a1k9uvBrian_Condon

Gavin says he feels like “a junior Minister on Newsnight” as he’s not an esteemed journalist or a newsgatherer. He notes the fundamental shift in the production and consumption of media. He says 91% of adults use a mobile phone – lots of them smartphones.

Challenges are about needing to take a view much more quickly whether you are a journalist or a politician as a story can gather pace in hours or minutes. People have more technology in their pockets than news organisations had 10 years ago.

#FNG12 @GavinMediaTrust says communities are no longer willing to be bystanders they can circumnavigate media to get voices heard

Opportunity for community produced media needs to be treated as ‘a contribution’ and possibly paid for. There’s lots of it out there – and some of it is high quality and very good; well linked to communities and their concerns – he argues.

RT @Media_Trust: Local news for local communities is a valid and important contribution to the mainstream. @GavinMediaTrust #FNG12

#FNG12 @PaulLewis poses question, what would happen if there were no paid journalists? In riots citizen journalists filled gaps in reporting

Nikki is asking Ravin if “journalism has moved beyond the stereotype” – mentions coffee swilling reporter typing frantically typing against a deadline. Ravin says we have a 24hr news cycle and news apps, with Twitter being a new source. Consumption is changing so production must – he argues. Technology and people have changed and the combination of these new ways of generating content and news has changed how broadcasters need to behave.

#FNG12 Ravin from @blottr is questioning what the difference is between a professional and citizen journalist

Paul observes that we do more than we could and we can certainly do better. What’s happening is the symbiotic relationship Gavin mentioned – and this opens up new avenues to explore and increased transparency. But it is difficult – where might we end up? Fewer being paid to do journalism but more people doing what might be described as journalism. The riots last year showed that. Between 1 and 4 am Sky and the BBC had to pull out of the area. But the was a constant feed of information online.

Nikki asks Mark about Sky News’ policies and he agrees that they have changed – and Sky don’t reTweet any other news organisation’s tweets. Here’s the first google entry if you search for that! From the Guardian:

Sky News clamps down on Twitter useSky News has told its journalists not to repost information from any Twitter users who are not an employee of the broadcaster. An email to staff on Tuesday laid out new social media guidelines for Sky News employees, including a contentious ban on retweeting rival "journalists or people on Twitter".

Paul is arguing that news is also about trust – and the liveblog is an important new aspect. Some news organisations are not that trusted he argues. Mark says that analysis and brand recognition are still important. He thinks that the power of a brand combined with the value added by verification and analysis are sufficient to deliver sustainable business. @KatyBlotter notes:

#FNG12 @skymarkevans "not the keepers of information anymore…we have a role to play in terms of validation…analysis"

#FNG12 @GavinMediaTrust citizen journalism and prof journalism don’t replace eachother, but they should work together to benefit public most

#FNG12 @PaulLewis "users/readers as good or better" at commenting on live football in this example

Matthew says a mixed model is where a lot of journalism is going and he says it’s challenging and interesting to the BBC.

Paul Lewis says “it’s not just trust” it’s also about the quality of writing and investigation. He mentions ‘grey news’ and the need for verification. And the propagation of material which needs to be checked. Matthew says that just the fact that the BBC and Sky are asking ‘is this true’ gives it credence.

Panel now focusing on the use of false stories to generate attention and drive traffic to websites; and the ethics of later “withdrawing” a story.

Question about the process for verifying sources of news on Twitter – “You never pay them do you?” Nikki asks Ravin. Ravin says “No. Never.”.

Paul mentions the construction of false identities online – and agrees that “We have made mistakes”. In dealing with something new, and taking risks, mistakes are going to happen.

Ravin says “it’s the way we’re changing and we want it now” – Nikki agrees.

What about the future asks a participant [he didn’t give his name]; he’s concerned that the ‘trusted brands’ won’t be here in the future. Mark says we are talking about the ways in which we will help journalism survive. There may be new brands that can be trusted – and young people interact with the big brands differently.

Mark arguing that the mobile device is revolutionising newsgathering and this may mean that brands we have now may not exist. But there will be trusted brands.

#FNG12 @seancurtisward asks whats the financial model – when will citizen journos get paid for their contributions to media

Paul arguing there’s little money about – and there will be less. But there is abundance and chaos- and the difficulty for everyone is is working out how to access and find the news they need.

As the room clears, I have a quick look at the Storify copy, republish, and make this Audio boo:

Immediate reflections on the Future of NewsgatheringAn Audioboo by brian_condon

You might also be interested in the ‘reach’ of the event; here’s a Tweetreach report:

Twitter Reach Report Results for #fng12Activity provides details about the tweets in this report, including the total number of tweets and unique contributors, the time period covered by the report, a graphical timeline showing tweet volume during the report period, and tweet type breakdown.

Two words not mentioned at #FNG12 "blogger" and "#leveson"Brian_Condon

Since the event, there’s been some further comment on Twitter:

#FNG12 been thinking: Sometimes my job feels like media for community development, sometimes it feels like community for media developmentKim Townsend

future of Newsgathering? The likes of @_sampat and @Blottr staying one step ahead of the wires with credible grassroots journalism #fng12Stuart Hughes

Transformational Infrastructure. A liveblog – with text from David Brunnen and Brian Condon together with conversations and comments from the #nextgen12 Twitter hashtag.

At MKStadium for #nextgen12 seeing lots of old friends #digitalbritain

Councillor David Hopkins talks about the strategic location of Milton Keynes and the importance of getting very high speed broadband.

Cllr Hopkins #NextGen12 – Milton Keynes is the fastest growing location in the country

David Hopkins talks about the importance of the Internet of Things to the future of Milton Keynes’ economy #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvoujBrian_Condon

David Hopkins is giving an overview of how important digital networks are to the businesses of the region – citing great examples like the Red Bull F1 racing team and the nearby Silverstone race track.

He is quoting Cisco research on the expected growth of broadband demand and the need for high capacity links.

He says that in spite of national doom and gloom on the economic front he says that in Milton Keynes they are experiencing rapid growth and much of that is critically based on the digital infrastructure.

The 2020 vision for Milton Keynes is a fundamental part of their thinking.

The Benefits of Fit-For-Purpose Broadband

Crister Mattsson from Sweden is on stage and giving results from his latest research. His analysis shows how growth of GDP is intrinsically linked to high quality broadband infrastructure. The Swedish government’s plan – an information society for all – was based around principles that can easily be translated to the UK environment.

Christer Mattsson uses developments in Sweden to highlight the issues facing all of us in Europe. He particularly focuses on the need to encourage incumbents to invest. There are 100 new service providers in Sweden.

In Sweden 200 municipalities are building their own networks 87% public ownership #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qvsz9Brian_Condon

Christer says that these new networks enable new services that have an effect on society.

87% of Swedish networks are owned by the public sector – Mattson #NextGen12

With FTTH 20% work from home; with copper it’s only 5% says Christer Mattsson at #nextgen12 #digitalbritain

But the benefits are not just economic – his studies for the Swedish government have also shown the positive impacts on society at larges and the efficiency of public sector services. Open Access – the view from Sweden is that unbundling is not enough – all levels of provision need to be separated with utility network access being considered and regulated in different ways to competitive services.

Crister highlights a distinction between the former incumber telco’s and new communications providers – the latter often locally based. 200 out of 297 municipalities are building their own networks and majority owned by the public sector – and making money – a process which keeps local taxes down! He also cites the plentiful availability of dark fibre – enabling businesses to create their own private networks. He has just commented on the ‘uncultured values’ that justify the investment and help develop new models for investment for high-speed access. The new services that did not exist before are an indication of the boost to innovation and inward investment to rural and less-favoured areas. He describes a virtuous circle of investment engendering new growth and improvements in the quality of life. he cites savings made by city of Stockholm – savings that have lowered taxes and, at the same time, improved the quality of life and public services delivery.

Delivering Next Generation Broadband to Accelerate Growth

Dr Ann Limb OBE DL now speaking – from Sweden to SEMLEP #NextGen12

She confesses to being technologically inexpert but has a very clear view of the outcomes and benefits of better broadband. Ann has in fact a great track record in previous government initiatives over the past decade – LearnDirect and YouGov.

The failure, she says, was that we neglected investment in the infrastructure and we now need to play ‘catch-up’ to accelerate growth.

The role of the digital natives and the importance to the education of our children is at the heart of the future Internet says Dr Ann Limb – she agrees with Christer Mattsson that more pressure should have been put on incumbents to invest in infrastructure.

Superfast broadband – everyone wants it – Ann Limb #NextGen12

The region has particularly strong digital needs with a diversity of environments of city and rural areas. Key objective is accelerating growth through digital investment and the SEMLEP has a champion appointed to make sure that faster and higher quality infrastructure will be increased – with a focus on businesses, rural areas and disadvantaged/excluded groups within society.

#NextGen12 RT @NeelieKroesEU: RT @kilfrew: RT @twECTA: "investing in telecoms is not too risky, it has to be done" #ftth #broadband

#NextGen12 Ann Limb speaking about her role for UKonline and Directgov

Debates began to break out on Twitter – both about Christer’s presentation and Ann’s remarks

@EventsNextGen #NextGen12 surely its the package, price and service experience that decides?

@Watchingtheflow currently its cheap packages and rubbish service for many. We need fibre. moral and optic. #NextGen12

@Watchingtheflow @brian_condon It was a comparison, not a trend he was referring to. #nextgen12 #digitalbritain

@cotswoldsbb @brian_condon #nextgen12 #digitalbritain and it s just not believable,

@Watchingtheflow haven’t seen any plans for that. Only cabinets. that isn’t real fibre broadband, comes through an old phone line #NextGen12

@EventsNextGen @AnnLimb Fibre ducting should be compulsary on any new builds at the very least. Even if not a fibre area yet. #NextGen12

@Yorkie71 @watchingtheflow @eventsnextgen Very good presentation by @annlimb at #NextGen12

Fibre To The Home from Start to Finish

Adam Ashenden of Prysmian

Very few delegates acknowledged any awareness of Prysmian – so Adam began his presentation by explaining that with the merger of Draka and Prysmian they are well established as a cable manufacturer in the Uk and have vast experience across continental Europe in Fibre-to-the home networks.

Adam’s first case study looked at a major project in Edinburgh – a complex project covering three areas and a potential extension to Edinburgh airport. Part of the solution involved pre-configutred Point of Presence – ready made units that could be used to deliver the hubs for the networks without extensive modifications of unsuitable buildings.

Adam then focused on the cables and ducts and the civil engineering challenges. In some areas duct networks existed and could be re-used but in other areas they worked with other utilities – including the sewer networks.

The city fibre ring needed to allow for extension to the airport but it also needed to link the three distinct areas. Part of the Prysmian solution benefited from their experience in Paris where they developed smaller cables with great capacity. They also developed a micro-ducting system to allow rapid deployment with air-blown systems – blown fibres are likely to last at least 25 years – vastly better than cables that are strained by pulling them in.

It is the experience and development capability of Prysmian and their ability to work with other agencies that contributes to these successful FTTH deployments.

His final point was that customer engagement was massively beneficial – many customers are happy to assist with the cable dig for the last few metres – reducing cost and gaining customer commitment.

Adam argues that it’s important for those involved in local broadband plans; whether from local authorities or parish councils to have a good understanding of the technical issues in helping to decide the various routes and technologies needed to deliver these projects. Different local situations will demand different solutions.

Adam says that it’s very important to make sure that you spend time working together to understand the needs of the area and customer groups – you can’t separate an understanding of locality and the infrastructure issues.

Further, faster & affordable – the latest from BT

Brendan Dick of BT says that in FTTC enabled areas, you’ll be able to order FTTP – no date mentioned #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qw8vpBrian_Condon

Brendan starts with mentioning Rio+20(the forthcoming UN Summit) and the need to see ICT investment as a major contribution to sustainability (NextGen’s Marit Hendriks will be attending Rio+20 and expects to interview some of the UN Broadband Commission leaders)

Brendan first point – ‘Faster’ – was that from next year that businesses will be able to order fibre connectivity on demand. He also mentioned to predominance of businesses operated from home.This would, he said, transform the way we live and work and will be a fundamentally key component of economic growth.

#NextGen12 Brendan Dick, BT: broadband is an enabler for how we live, how we work & how we make our economy thrive. <– Nicely put!

RT @paulinerigby: #NextGen12 not naming names, but the word "solutions" should be banished forever unless you really do mean dissolved in liquid

Brendan mentions that soon, businesses and others in areas that have FTTC will be able to order Fibre to the Premises as a sort of ‘on demand’ service.

His second point – Affordability – is not an issue – largely on account of the service providers that work with BT.

For Milton Keynes Brendan highlighted some local initiatives – ‘75% (more than 85,000 premises) have access to super fast broadband’. This is primarily ‘fibre to the cabinet’.

BT has apparently been surprised that take-up has been higher than the 35% they expected.

BT’s plans for #mk at #nextgen12 in Milton Keynes twitpic.com/9qwa2mBrian_Condon

Brendan highlighted the benefits to the UK economy – 0.3 to 0.5% contribution to GDP growth.

Brendan says that BT is engaged in future-proofing the UK’s telecoms network. They are now trialling faster speeds over combined fibre/copper networks. BY may believe in the utopia (of FTTH) but are rooted in the practical challenges of today – using mixes of technology to deliver basic broadband to 100% of the country.

RT @johnpopham: MT @brian_condon: BT say they are trialling, in the lab, 1 Gbps over Cu. #NextGen12 << It would be nice if we all lived in labs wouldn’t it?Edgar Aker

"Future Proofing" issues for #digitalbritain according to BT #nextgen12 twitpic.com/9qwbf3Brian_Condon

If the exchange is upgraded, the ducting in place and 1500 homeowners want it, why do BT not upgrade??? #nextgen12

@paulinerigby Brendan said he couldn’t help our area. ‘BT is not a charity’ http://t.co/m78xpTaK #NextGen12

Brendan Dick uses fibre example of the Well at Willen #NextGen12 from 2mbps to 40mbps – great improvement, businesses grow and thrive

He expressed some satisfaction that their process was on schedule and the responses from Local Authorities had been very encouraging. The process had been greatly benefited from clarification of the State Aid issues and an umbrella agreement agreed with the European Commission.

The 2nd round for bids opened on the 10th May and will close on 6th July. The first round (January) resulted in 16 applications out of 39 being approved.

Cities have until 2 August to submit full bids at which point actual allocations will be made @ling_robert #NextGen12

The Super-Connected Cities initiated in the budget resulted in indicative funding allocations being made – and a meeting on 14th June with all applicant will clarify the next steps.

A further programme for Mobile investment – details on the DCMS website.

Major issue – Demand Stimulation – DCMS working with GO ON UK ( a ‘reincarnation of RACE Online 2012) – is a key part of the strategy. Robert is keen to see a strong business focus and a collaborative culture that brings together many organisations such as FSB.

Second wave of smaller superconnected cities is now on the way #bduk #nextgen12

Robert Ling says they got 39 responses to the Rural Broadband Fund which given timescales was "phenomenal" #NextGen12 twitpic.com/9qwp6fBrian_Condon

Fibre To The Home Council Europe

FTTH Council was formalised in 2004 and is now a major industry organisation – with a vision for a sustainable future.

The FTTH Council Europe’s 10th anniversary conference (Feb 2013) will be held in London – the first time that it has been in England.

In line with the other FTTH Councils around the world the council’s league tables only count those homes and buildings that are actually connected by fibre.

Europe and CIS countries in total have more FTTH connections than the USA.

Take-up rates appear to be higher in CIS countries.

In the global rankings of countries with more than 200,000 households and more than 1% connected by FTTH. The Aisian countries (e.g. South Korea) are in the lead and Lithuania is the highest European entry.

In Europe there are 20 countries with more than 1% penetration and this table is lead by Nordic and Eastern European countries. Growth rates in Eastern Europe are now leading the market.

Nadia Babaali of Fibre to the Home council points out worrying trends for EU in #ftth – other parts of world faster growing #nextgen12

France and Italy are on the table but Germany, Spain and UK have not yet achieved 1% penetration.

The Council have analysed projects by ‘type of player’ – Municipalities, Alternative Operators and European Incumbents. The first two categories have been important in driving Incumbents towards a more innovative approach.

In the ‘Race to Fibre Maturity’ (when 20% penetration is expected) the UK is not expected to achieve this until some time after 2022 – and long other most others. This prediction suggests that the UK may not achieve the EU’s broadband targets for 2020.

FTTH forecast Babaali #NextGen12 @FTTHCouncilEU. Europe will get there at 2020 UK will get there after 2022!

UK to not reach fibre to the home maturity (20% homes connected) until after 2022!! #NextGen12

Upload Speeds and Stability are key. Consumer demand is not an issue – but it takes a little time for consumers to learn how to exploit higher quality networks. It also takes time for operators to understand that it can be highly profitable.

There are continental case studies available on the FTT Council website. NextGen is assisting the Council in finding additional case studies from the UK.

Standard Service is 50Mbps down and 25Mbps upload speed. This is the fastest service in Milton Keynes.

This presentation highlights the value of a local operator – and further extensions from the scheme are being developed.

@Watchingtheflow IFNL offer choice of gas and electric suppliers on their other utility networks, aiming for the same with fibre #NextGen12danielheery

Milton Keynes Smart City

Prof Keith Straughan Interim Dean University College Milton Keynes

Smart Cities must be self aware and should be able to respond to external stimuli.

The evolution of city services – understanding the spiral of developments – requires a view of convergence of several human factors. Keith views that the technology focus of many models is mistaken – agriculture, education, water production – just three of the perspectives that are missing from government understanding.